LEADING BI-CULTURAL LIVES
(Updated to reflect the 100 most recent valid responses.)

Is it possible to embrace both American and Asian cultures and find social acceptance with both Americanized and non-Americanized groups of friends?
Yes | 77%
No | 23%

Which of the following factors is most important in facilitating a successful bi-cultural life?
Familitarity with both cultures | 32%
Family upbringing | 28%
Fluency in both languages | 16%
Security in one's identity | 24%

Which of the following factors most discourages bi-cultural lives for U.S.-raised Asian Americans?
Inability to speak Asian languages | 28%
Outmarriage to non-Asians | 14%
Fear of seeming too Asian | 30%
Concern for kids' image with peers | 28%

Which segment of the Asian American population currently has the greatest positive impact on American society?
American-Born | 56%
Foreign-born, American-educated | 44%
to Poo
"...some of you are seizing on the misconception I am against accents."

Yep, guilty as charged. Actually, that's exactly what I thought. Sorry to rain on your parade. However, a fake accent, when used as a way to start a conversation where no conversation existed is very fair to me. In fact--and I hate to quote this old worn-out phrase, but if the shoe fits..."All's fair in love and war".
MLK    Thursday, April 25, 2002 at 21:18:39 (PDT)

to Question

hahahaaha! no...silly. It's my initials (my name is Kelly, but I've been told by so many people not to post with my real name for fear of perverts and such strange male creatures as can be found lurking in dark corners on the web, but so far, I haven't found one I couldn't brutally tame). I would've started posting as Kelly long before now, only everyone knows me as MLK and for me to go and change it now would cause confusion for many folks who have been communicating with me and knows me only as "that MLK chick". So there you go. Would you prefer I use Kelly?
MLK    Thursday, April 25, 2002 at 20:29:15 (PDT)
MLK,

Are you named after Martin Luther King?
Question    Wednesday, April 24, 2002 at 20:55:56 (PDT)
There is, as I stated in my current post, a difference between picking up a Texas twang or a New York accent - or any accent from a place where you have actually resided..and out and out FAKING an accent, like the poster was referring to when they said it works on girls, to give it a go. I have nothing against people learning to lose their drawl or picking up the subtle or not so subtle inflections of their community's language. If you read my mesages, I am saying that to consciously and knowingly try to pass yourself off as being something other than what you are - done with intent, done to impress or to deceive or to trick - is shameful, whether its taking on a Scottish brogue at the bar or giving a fake phone number. Have the guts to be yourself and don't intentionally play people. I cannot believe I even have to justify that point of view , other than that some of you are seizing on the misconception I am against accents. I am against FAKING an accent to CON someone. I am against USING and CONNING people. If you want to write why you think doing that is acceptable, I am very curious to read your argument.
Poo    Wednesday, April 24, 2002 at 13:11:35 (PDT)
It's amazing how under some circumstances W. Bush and Clinton would turn up or turn down their hick accents depending upon the audience. I've seen African Americans turn on/off up/down their "Ebonics" at will, depending upon whom they're with. Whatever the situaition calls for...
Cunning Linguist    Wednesday, April 24, 2002 at 13:04:00 (PDT)

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